Mail-box attachment



Dec. 1924- 1,521,397

B. L. SCOTT MAIL BOX ATTACHMENT Filed May 7, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5c. man-0R ATTORNEY WlTNESS:

Dec. 1924- 1,521,397

B. L. SCOTT MAIL BOX ATTACHMENT Filed May 7, 1923 2 sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS:

. Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,521,391 PATENT OFFICE.

BRAXTON L. sco'r'r or' CLARENDON, VIRGINIA.

MAIL-BOX ATTACHMENT.

Application flIed May 7, 1923. Serial No. 687,299.

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I. BRAXTON L. Soon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarendon, in the county of Arlington and- State ofVirginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Box Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in mail boxes especially adapted for usein rural districts. I

An object of the invention is to provide an improved signal device, whereby the presence of material within the box may be indicated, means being provided whereby the signal, which is normally inactive, will be moved to and held in an active position by opening the box, so that mail matter may be deposited therein and the box closedwith the signal remaining active.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mail box with the invention applied thereto, the signal being shown in an inactive position.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation with the signal in an active position.

Figure 4 is an end view with the parts in the position shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the signal arm bracket.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the mail box which is indicated at 10 has pivotally secured to one end as shown at 11 a door 12, the latter being provided with a suitable latch herein shown in the form of spring arms 13 and 14, carried respectively by the box 10 and door 12. Thedoor is further provided with a slot for the introduction of mail matter, the said slot being normally closed by a gravity closure 15.

All of the foregoing may be of the structure shown and described, or may be of any other suitable structure, the invention residing in the improved signal for indicating the presence of mail within the box. This signal comprises an arm 16 which carries at one end a plate or panel 17 the latter being preferably colored red and simulating a red flag, so as to readily attract attention. The opposite end of the arm is pivotally andslidably secured to the box 10 and for this purpose there is provided a signal arm bracket which is bent or shaped to provide a substantially central offset portion 18 and laterally disposed ears 19 and 20. The offset portion 18 acts in conjunction with the side wall of the box to provide a uide sleeve or pocket for the reception of tie arm 16 and this guide sleeve or pocket has extending therethrough a pin 21 which has one end secured within the offset portion 18 and the other end secured within the adjacent side Wall of the box. The pin 21 extends through an elongated slot 22 provided in the arm 16, so that when the latter is moved to an upright position it will descend by gravity so that the lower end of the arm will be held against accidental pivotal movement. When the signal is inits lowered or inactive position as shown in Figure 1, one edge of the arm 16 will rest upon a shoulder 23 formed at one side edge of the offset portion 18 adjacent the pin 20.

Pivotally mounted upon the box 10 as shown at 24 is a lever 25 and one end of this lever has secured thereto a loop 26 which embraces the arm 16, so that when the lever 25 is moved pivotally, the signal arm 16 may be moved from a lowered or inactive posi' tion to a raised or active position. The opposite end of the lever 25 is weighted and this end may be used as an operating handle for manually raising the signal, or the said lever may be operated by means of a. finger 27 which extends laterally from one side edge of the door 21 and engages the outer end of the lever 25 so that when the said door is opened the lever will be forced downwardly and the signal raised.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

A mail box of the character described comprising a hinged door secured to the front thereof, a normally inactive signal device pivotally secured Within a bracket on the side of the mail box, an oifset lever ivoperation of the lever and signal when the otally mounted ofl' center on the mail 0x, door is, opened, and arcuafe shaped offset one end of'said lever carrying a loop thereon spring fingers upon the box and door respecand encircling the signal arm therein, the tively and registering one with the other other end being enlarged and weighted and when the door is closed.

normally extending beyond the front of the In testimony whereof I aflix' my signature. mail box, a finger mounted upon the door for BRAXTON L. SCOTT. 

